Letter from A. Walker, District of Saanich Re: District of Saanich Draft Official Community Plan

Re: District of Saanich Draft Official Community Plan – For Review • File No. 2330-25

We wish to advise you that the District of Saanich is currently undertaking a strategic update of its Official Community Plan (OCP). The project was initiated in Spring 2022 with the purpose of updating key elements that reflect recent trends and Council directions. Additional information on the project is available at www.saanich.ca/ocp.

The first phase of the project is now complete and a draft of the updated OCP has been prepared. The full Draft Plan is now available for review at www.saanich.ca/ocp. Please reach out if you would like a print copy of the full Draft Plan.

Key Draft Plan updates and discussions elements are outlined below.

1. Additional lenses to frame and provide a foundation for the OCP vision and context, including: a. Providing a more robust approach to sustainability by linking the existing three-pillar approach with the concepts of One Planet Living and 15-Minute Communities; b. Incorporating the District’s Climate Change response as a Draft Plan foundation; c. Updating census and other data; d. Outlining challenges and opportunities facing Saanich; and, e. Proving additional background on Saanich’s relationship with First Nations.
2. Land Use Framework changes focused on: a. Identifying four strategic directions to guide growth and development (maintaining the urban containment boundary, accommodating most new development in primary growth areas, expanding housing diversity in neighbourhoods and making Saanich a 15-minute community); b. Adding a Corridor designation and clarifying Centre and Village boundaries (Primary Corridors are mapped in the Draft Plan and include segments of Tillicum Road, Burnside Road, Shelbourne Street, McKenzie Avenue, and Quadra Street); c. Strengthening neighbourhood infill policies; d. Incorporating updated guidance for parks planning / acquisition; and, e. Strengthening existing direction on complete communities and walkability.
3. Updates to policies and framing that reflect major strategic plans and initiatives since the OCP was adopted in 2008 (e.g., Climate Plan, Housing Strategy, Active Transportation Plan, Agriculture and Food Security Plan).
4. An updated implementation component including priority actions for implementation, an updated monitoring plan, and a series of preliminary indicators which build on high-level indicators from other monitoring programs at the District and Regional level.
5. Clarification regarding implementation and the relationship between the OCP, Local Areas Plans and Centre, Corridor and Village Plans.

We would be happy to meet to discuss the components of the Draft Plan further, or receive comments via phone, letter, or email. Please provide feedback by July 14, 2023. A summary of stakeholder and public input will be presented to Committee of the Whole and incorporated into the Draft Plan as appropriate.

Sincerely,

Amber Walker, RPP, MCIP Planner (Community) – Project Lead Strategic OCP Update amber.walker@saanich.ca 250-475-5494 ext 3452

AW/es

CC ltaylor@viewroyal.ca